1283

Thank You   - "Thank You"  -    to Karen Hudnell and Jim Harrell for keeping this blog up to date. At this time, I will be going home Jan 1, 2021.   I have been in a hospital since Nov. 28, 2019.  It is going to be great for me.  It will, perhaps, be a challenge for Millard.  :)

Roger Heitschmidt Class 1960

 

Obituary for Roger W. Heitschmidt

 

Roger “Red” Heitschmidt, 79, of Chapel Hill, TN passed away at home on Saturday, December 12, 2020.  A family celebration of Roger’s life will be held this coming spring. 

Roger was born on December 2, 1941 in Osborne County Kansas, the first of three children of his parents Harold and Wilma Heitschmidt.  He grew up on a farm near Covert, KS.  He graduated from Paradise Rural High School, Paradise, KS in 1960 and from Kansas State University in 1964 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.  He received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Wichita State University in 1968 while working for Boeing in Wichita.

Roger was always interested in agriculture commodities and as such, he eventually chose to become a commodity broker.  At one time he was the largest broker for Peavy Co. in the United States.  During this time, he had numerous offices throughout the State of Kansas with his home office in Wichita.   He eventually moved his business to Nashville, TN.  Shortly thereafter he “retired” from the brokerage business and moved to Charleston, SC where he opened a retail golf store.  He retired from the golf business in 2010.  He and his wife Joyce then moved to Chapel Hill to be nearer family.

Roger loved to feed and watch the birds in his yard and match wits against the squirrels and raccoons that routinely raided the feeders.  He also enjoyed gardening, the outdoors, working on his golf swing, and studying the latest business trends.

Roger married Karen Hudnall in 1959.  Three children were born to this union:  Kim, Shelly, and Jerry.   

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Wilma, and his daughter Shelly.  

He leaves behind his wife Joyce (married in 1995), his daughter Kim Motley and her husband Gregg (Fort Scott, KS),  son Jerry anHd wife Nancy (Athens, GA), brother Rod and wife Sue (Granbury, TX), sister Elaine Vanderlaan and her husband Alfred (Watertown, SD), 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and a host of relatives, friends and acquaintances.  

Roger never knew a stranger.  He lived life to the fullest which meant family and friends were of paramount importance to him.

Click here for a link to pictures of Roger

Anita Swarts (Webster) Class of 1948

ANITA SWARTS 

April 5, 1930 - November 21, 2020
Lawrence, Kansas - Anita Marie Swarts, 90, of Lawrence, Ks formerly of Kansas City, Kansas passed away on November 21, 2020. 
Anita was born on April 5, 1930, the daughter of Carl and Anna Webster.
She married the love of her life William "Bill" Swarts on August 7, 1949 and they raised 2 boys Alan and Christopher Swarts together. She is preceded in death by both her parents; husband Bill Swarts; 2 brothers Ruben and Chester Webster and 2 sisters Carol Crawford and Connie Anderson.
She is survived by her 2 sons Alan (Margene) Swarts and Christopher (Raye Ann); 2 grandchildren Aaron Swarts and Adam (Brittney) Swarts; 2 great grandchildren Aila Rose and Miller Swarts; 2 brothers Jerry and Alvin Swarts and many nieces and nephews.
There was a graveside service on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 3PM at Maple Hill Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers the family asked for donations to be made to Visiting Nursing Association. 200 Maine St., Suite C    Lawrence, KS 66044

George Welling (Class 1943)

Obituary for George Robert Welling

George Robert Welling, age 94, of Paradise, KS passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at the Allen Co. Regional Hospital. George was born on July 5, 1926 in Hays, KS the son of Stanley and Sara (Lacy) Welling.

After high school, George served in the U.S. Army. He wrote articles for the newspapers, worked on drilling rigs, and did artwork on stone. George was a perfectionist, and if it couldn’t be done right, he wouldn’t do it. George loved to visit with friends and most importantly, be with his family.

On January 5, 1982, George married Nancy J. White. George and Nancy have been married for 38 years and she survives at their home.

Survivors include including his wife Nancy are:
Children:
Lynn Welling
Robert George Welling
Joseph V. Rodriguez
Valerie Petoskey
Stephanie Roberson
Christopher Rodriguez
Lea Semrad
Lisa Jones

Siblings:
Lew Welling
Patricia Albright

Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

George was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Phyllis, one son Bradley Welling and 7 siblings.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 11:30 AM at Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute, KS Memorials have been suggested to the Hays Humane Society and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com Services entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720

Pictures from Paradise Fall Festival

Thanks to Brynae Thompson and Devin Strecker for the following photos.

The attendance was approximately 300 attendee's.

Dick Woodall 95th Birthday

Dick is having his 95th birthday on Sept. 20th.

The family is requesting a card shower for him.

His address is 303 N. 14th St, Apt. #4, WaKeeney, KS.   67672

 Mr. Woodall was a teacher and coach in the 50's and 60's

Upcoming event in the land of Paradise

September 26, 2020 will be the 3rd annual Paradise Fall Festival.

Following is a list of the activities. 

1pm-Corn Hole Tournament , entry fee $20.


4-6pm- Kids activities- train ride, hay rack ride, pumpkin decorating,
smores to make and eat, feed maze.  Entry fee $5.


8pm-12am- The Prophets will play and beer garden.


Dickinson's food truck will be there all day.

2020 School Reunion Follow Up (With Names)

There were about 50 people at the reunion this year.

That is a low turnout compared to years past. However with the things going on it's lucky to have this many.

Following are a few pictures of the folks that were there.

Just to get some chatter going on the blog, I'm not going to post the names right away.

Guess and see how many you can get.

                                            Marlys (Schneider) Yarnell  (65)

                                         Darrell and Diana (Robbins) Blosser (67)

                                          Larry and Carolyn (Wilson) Funk   (62)

                                                           William Robbins (71)

                                                         Marilyn (Cover) Mitchell  (70)

                                                           Robbie Thompson

                                                          Gerald Miller (51)

                                                           Tony Parsons  (73)

                                          Linda and Rick Holden  (73)

                                                           Pat (Welling) and Gary Albrecht (50)

                                                   Dennis Albrecht (60) and Donna

                                                   Eric Haberer (59) and Mollie

                                                   Dan Hoisington (67) and Mona

                                                     Tom (69) and Deb (Bealby) Maupin (73)
                                                 

Reunion Update #2 (Good News)

The latest report is the reunion is still on!!!!!

The reservation count is now over 80.

Deb says keep the reservations coming.
Paradise Alumni P.O. Box 31 Paradise, Ks 67658

You can also contact Joyce Thompson at 913-998-4442.
or Dan Hoisington at post@gorhamtel.com

School Reunion Update

So far the reunion is still going to happen!!!

There is good news and not so good news.

I'll start with the good.

Russell county has had "NO" Covid-19 cases so far.

60 plus folks have sent their money and reservations in.

Deb Maupin would like to encourage those still interested in coming, to make their reservations soon.

Please contact Joyce Thompson at 785-998-4442 or Dan Hoisington at post@gorhamtel.com to make the reservations.

Ok, the not so good news.

The "Prophets" will NOT be playing this year. 
A couple of the members will not be available.

If you have any questions, contact Joyce or Dan at the above listed number or address.

Paradise School Reunion Letter.

If you are on the mailing list, you should be receiving the following in the mail.

THANK YOU - KAREN JACOB AND JIM HARRELL

25838 
.

Thank You - an extra special Thank You - to Karen and Jim for keeping the Paradise Blog up to date.  I appreciate them for helping  with the blog for the past several years. They started out as Paradise Blog professionals so they certainly did not have to be trained.  In fact, Jim has been my Tech Guy since the beginning.

I have been in a hospital (three different ones) since Nov. 28, 2019.  I am hoping that this present hospital care - Holiday Resort in Emporia  - will be the last one.  I qualified  to be in a nursing home because I, hopefully, am curable  LOL!  It has been somewhat hard since March because I can't have visitors.  A Nursing Home with no visitors is very quiet.  My family comes to my window and we talk on our phones. We can NOT open the windows. Holiday Resort is a perfect facility for me.  Thank You Lord.

Paradise School Reunion

I have been informed from a member of the school reunion committee that the reunion is still on.
It will be July 18th.

The home grown band "THE PROPHETS" will be playing again.

More information will be forthcoming and things may change.

Stay safe and healthy.
We want to see you at the reunion!!!

Jim

Judith Lynn (Benedick) Nuss

Judith Lynn Nuss passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville at the age of 77. Judith was born in Stockton, Kansas on June 9, 1942 to Virl and Leta Benedick. She attended High School in Paradise. Judith was a mother to Tim, Monty, and Todd in her younger years and later on she met and married Gerald Nuss and to this union Jerry, Chad, Dallas, Eva, and Michelle were born.

Judith loved time with her family especially playing card games like pitch, poker, and gin rummy. She enjoyed cooking and being in the company of her dogs.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald Nuss of Plainville, KS; children, Tim Krob, Monty Karst, Todd Alan Templeton, Jerry Nuss, Chad Nuss, Dallas Nuss, Eva Malin, and Michelle Nuss; siblings, George and Alan Benedick; twenty five grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Judith is preceded in death by her parents, Virl and Leta Bendick; step-mother, Francis Benedick; and siblings, Larry and Clayton Benedick, Donovan Krob, Joyce Cotton, and Bethel Krob

Private family services have been chosen.

Memorials are suggested to the Judith Nuss Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of Plumer Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.

Marilyn Barrett (Former Teacher)

Marilyn Rhea (Somers) Barrett, 90, of Pratt, Kansas, and formerly of Paradise, 
Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020 at the Pratt Health & Rehabilitation 
Center in Pratt.

Marilyn was born August 25, 1929 in Altoona, Kansas.  She was one of five children
born to Rhea Moore and Thelma Doris (Davis) Somers.  She grew up in Altoona,
Paradise, Bird City, Kansas, Spring, Kansas and Ensign, Kansas.  She attended and 
graduated from Ft. Hays State University with a degree in Education.

Marilyn was united in marriage to Harry W. Barrett on January 10, 1953 in Clayton, 
New Mexico.  This union was blessed with five children; Terry, Kent, Sandee, Richard 
and Max.  Later in life they divorced.  Harry preceded her in death in October, 1994.

Marilyn was a devoted School Teacher.  She taught in Copeland, Kansas, Cedar 
Point, Kansas, Turon, Kansas, Paradise, Kansas from 1967 to 1973, Winona, Kansas 
from 1974 to 1984, and Natoma, Kansas from 1985 till retirement.  She was a member 
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  After retirement, she was a board 
member of the Natoma School Board.  She also was a member of the Paradise City 
Council for over 20 years..  In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, doing crafts 
especially ceramics, learning family history, and spending time with her grandchildren 
and great grandchildren.

Marilyn’s surviving family include two daughters, Terry Allen (David) of Manhattan, 
Kansas and Sandee Bates (Douglas) of Sparta, Tennessee; three sons, Kent Barrett 
(Karen) of Pratt, Kansas, Richard Barrett (Koleen) of Colby, Kansas and Max Barrett 
of Pratt, Kansas; brother, K. Ronald Somers (Nancy) of Idaho; two sisters, Joyce Anne 
 Barnes of Warrensburg, Missouri and Monice Laray Somers of Russell, Kansas; 
16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her 
 parents and sister Lola Jeanne Heath.

A Graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, May 14, 2020 at the 
Mt. Hermon Cemetery in Paradise, Kansas.  No Visitation being held.  A Memorial 
has been established with the Waldo Senior Center.  Contributions and condolences 
may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.

Stuart Tichenor (Class 1968)

Passed away peacefully on his 69^th birthday, November 5, 2019, surrounded by friends and family.  Stuart was born November 5, 1950, to Bob and Julia Tichenor.

He was the brother of Steve Tichenor and Scott Tichenor, Stuart being the middle child, 

attended high school at Paradise Rural High School and graduated with the Class of 1968.

At the time of his death, Stuart was living in Henryetta, Oklahoma with his beloved wife, Paula.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2018, and fought a brave battle.

Stuart was a professor at Oklahoma State University until his retirement.

Thomas J. Hutchinson (Class of 1952)

Thomas J. Hutchinson, 87, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, Kansas.

Tom was born February 7, 1933 in Russell, the son of Thomas Joseph and Frieda (Behrendt) Hutchinson.  He attended elementary school at Duffy country school and Waldo Grade school.  He attended his freshman and sophomore year at Waldo High School before his family moved to a farm south of Paradise, Kansas.  He graduated from Paradise High School in the Class of 1952.

Tom was united in marriage to Thelma Pfortmiller on January 25, 1954 in Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Tom and Thelma made their home on the “Kemburn Farm” northeast of Waldo, where they raised registered Shorthorn cattle and farmed.  They were blessed with three children; Sheryl, Randall and Bruce.  They divorced in 2004.  Tom was united in marriage to Ramona Lopez on December 20, 2007, in Great Bend, Kansas.  Ramona preceded him in death on November 4, 2019.  Throughout his life, Tom attended Peace Lutheran Church in Natoma, St. John Lutheran Church and Bible Baptist Church in Russell.  In his spare time, Tom enjoyed welding and building items to help him on the farm.

Surviving family include his daughter Sheryl Corn (Steven) of Great Bend, Kansas; sons, Randall Hutchinson (Stephanie) of Falun, Kansas and Bruce Hutchinson (Angela) of Kansas City, Missouri; mother of his children, Thelma Hutchinson of Ellinwood, Kansas; step son, Marc Bauman of Kirkland, Washington; nine grandchildren, two step grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ramona, and half sister, Ruby Peter.

Celebration of Thomas’ Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.  A private family burial will follow at the Grand Center Cemetery northeast of Waldo, Kansas.  The family will be present to greet friends from 10:00 AM to Service Time at the Mortuary on Saturday.  Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.